Plan to add bike lanes in Berkeley leaves shop owners cold

BERKELEY (KPIX) — The metropolis of Berkeley will be adding bicycle lanes on a just one-mile extend of Hopkins Road subsequent calendar year but lots of businesses and shoppers are not content with the new addition because it will get rid of a good deal of avenue parking.

Berkeley town council members said they had to decide on involving street parking and bicycle lanes since Hopkins Street is pretty slim in specific destinations and wouldn’t be able to accommodate equally.

So, past week, the council voted to go with bike lanes.

“I believe Berkeley is building a grave miscalculation,” said shopper Lillie Braudy.

Braudy drives from the hills to her preferred retailers on Hopkins Road.

“I like buying here due to the fact I can get every little thing I want in 1 small walk. I can get my fish, my meat, my wonderful vegetables,” Braudy said.

Braudy explained she retailers at Monterey Industry and at nearby mom-and-pop outlets about two times a 7 days. She claimed all those weekly journeys are about occur to an conclusion.

“I won’t be able to experience a bicycle. I’m 92 now. I will not be in a position to occur right here,” Braudy claimed.

She believes the new alterations on Hopkins Street will hurt seniors and individuals who depend on cars.

Setting up subsequent yr, Berkeley will incorporate bicycle lanes on Hopkins Road from Sutter Avenue to Gilman Street. The town will take away all road parking on a stretch from Monterey Avenue to Gilman Avenue. They will also clear away a few parking spots from Monterey Avenue to McGee Avenue, a active business strip with many shops.

“I am incredibly nervous. I have nightmares, truthfully, about dropping business, people heading somewhere else, obtaining other destinations to store,” stated Pete Raxakoul, operator of Raxakoul Espresso and Cheese.

Raxakaul said most of his buyers are seniors. It’s currently difficult to obtain parking on Hopkins. He reported that, if customers are unable to park, they won’t occur.

The town strategies to deal with that issue by introducing parking meters in entrance of his business enterprise to really encourage turnover.

“(The new bike lanes will) make the road safer, more people today will bicycle,” claimed Berkeley resident and bicycle owner Beatriz Motta.

Supporters like Motta say secured bicycle lanes suggest protection and sustainability. Bicycle advocates believed the new lanes will inspire more men and women to shop on Hopkins.

“I want youngsters to be able to bicycle listed here and for mothers and fathers to come to feel risk-free with their little ones biking,” Motta mentioned.

Braudy said she feels remaining at the rear of as Berkeley builds for the potential.

“It really is very unfortunate to me that I am likely to have to give this up,” she stated.

Berkeley leaders are now searching at a proposal to increase the bike lanes on Hopkins Road for yet another half a mile, from Gilman Street to San Pablo Avenue. That system could contain eliminating extra avenue parking. The town may possibly vote on that plan afterwards this 12 months.